"Yes, it's getting late, and there are still a few things to take care of at the orphanage," Coloss smiled faintly, then hesitated slightly before speaking, "That..."

Lin Luo could tell what she was hesitant about and waved his hand dismissively. "Ah, just call me by my name. Being so formal makes me feel awkward." He had found Coloss's polite address somewhat unsettling ever since their casual chats back in the village. He much preferred the unconstrained communication he had with Yanilas, even though he didn't much care for being called 'Little Linzi' by her.

"Then I shall gladly accept your offer," Coloss replied, not being one to stubbornly insist, and immediately agreed with a smile.

"Mm," Lin Luo nodded, suggesting, "Since you're heading back, I'll see you off. It's a bit dangerous for a girl to walk this path where monsters roam."

"That might not be appropriate, and besides, Kiki is here to protect me." Coloss wished to decline. Earlier, when she arrived, both Kurenai and Kagura had also offered to escort her, and she didn't want to trouble them, so she politely refused.

"There's nothing inappropriate about it. I don't have anything pressing anyway; consider it a stroll." Lin Luo smiled. He wouldn't deny wanting to chat with the girl for a while longer, but the larger reason was concern for her safety. He couldn't shake the feeling that, perhaps due to the Shikon Jewel, the aura of nearby monsters had suddenly intensified. The group he’d just encountered was not much weaker than the yokai in the Amber Tower; even a skilled Bracer like Yanilas felt immense pressure and dared not go alone. Although Coloss was skilled in both magic and swordsmanship and not weak, she would still be in grave danger if truly besieged by a swarm of monsters.

"Alright then, I'll have to trouble you," Coloss conceded with a nod, seeing Lin Luo’s determined stance.

As they spoke, the two of them began walking toward the orphanage. After a brief silence, Coloss suddenly said, "That... thank you for what you did today."

"Thank you?" Lin Luo paused, unsure of what he had done to warrant her gratitude.

Coloss smiled faintly and explained, "For some special reasons, besides a few friends at school, I've rarely had companions my own age around me. It’s rare to become good friends with Kurenai and Kagura, and if we were to part ways immediately, it would probably be quite difficult. So, I was truly happy that you allowed them to stay, even if it might only be for a few days."

"Oh, that's what this is about. You didn't really need to thank me; I had my own reasons for staying." They continued walking and talking, the atmosphere reasonably harmonious. Although monsters occasionally attacked, Lin Luo repelled them all with his King's Aura. However, while the King's Aura could repel beasts, it certainly couldn't affect a beautiful woman. Coloss's demeanor wasn't stiff, but she maintained a slight emotional distance in her words.

"By the way, Lin Luo, what type of girl do you like?" Coloss asked after walking for a while.

"Huh?" Lin Luo froze, looking suspiciously at the girl beside him. Had she really been stunned by his King's Aura and was now ready to throw herself into his arms? But the vibe felt a little off.

Coloss guessed he might be overthinking and laughed self-consciously. "Don't misunderstand; I didn't mean anything else. I was just curious. You are quite close to Kurenai and the others—Kagura calls you brother—but it doesn't seem like siblings. I just assumed you might be dating one of them, so I asked casually. Of course, it’s fine if you don't want to say; pretend I never asked." "That’s nothing, but as for the type of girl I like..." Lin Luo stroked his chin in thought, then looked at the girl and said seriously, "I actually prefer girls with a regal, princess-like temperament." "Ah!" Coloss instinctively flinched.

"Preferably one whose princess status is unknown to the masses, someone who hides her identity as a princess while masquerading as an ordinary girl, caught in the confusion and wavering between the two roles." "..." Coloss's eyes widened in disbelief. She had genuinely only asked that question out of curiosity and concern for her friends, not expecting Lin Luo to give a detailed answer. But she never imagined that the fire she had just lit would end up burning her own skirts... The type of princess Lin Luo described was precisely her!

Coloss finally understood that curiosity could not only kill the cat but also perhaps doom a princess. Although Coloss was merely a regular student at the Royal Academy, that was a guise. Her true identity was Clothilde von Auslese, the princess of the Liberl Kingdom—a nation small in military power but extremely advanced in technology—and she was the first in line to the throne, meaning she was the future Queen.

Lin Luo knew this, which was why he had spoken those words on impulse. Of course, Coloss wasn't like Yanilas, who was too dense to care about jokes, but saying too much to Coloss could genuinely constitute sexual harassment. He chuckled awkwardly. "I was just joking. Where on earth would a princess like that exist? Wouldn't you agree?"

"Heh heh, you certainly know how to tell a joke," Coloss replied with an awkward smile, feeling a slight tension bubble up inside.

Soon after, Lin Luo escorted Coloss to the orphanage, exchanged greetings with Fina-leia, and then headed back toward the areas near Ruan City where monsters prowled to collect souls. These monsters had truly met their doom in the last eight generations for encountering a scourge like Lin Luo. If it were a Bracer encirclement, even if they couldn't win, they could at least flee. But facing Lin Luo, forget fighting—the moment his Heart's Intent power manifested, they couldn't even run; they could only obediently become food for the True Shikon Jewel.

For several days, the fierce monsters in and around Ruan City, and even a bit further out, were nearly wiped clean by Lin Luo. Although the True Shikon Jewel was still not sated, it had changed slightly. At least Lin Luo could see a faint reddish arrow faintly shimmering at the center of the Jewel.

"It seems it's time to leave." Seeing that arrow, Lin Luo knew the next direction he needed to take. Over these few days, not only had he made progress with the True Shikon Jewel, but his interactions with Coloss had also become significantly more relaxed than when they first met. At least they were less reserved when speaking, and they could occasionally share a joke. In Kurenai’s words, there was 'romantic tension'; in Kagura's words, they were 'more than friends, less than lovers.' And in Bei Luo's (Clyde's) words: 'We are merely in a pure platonic relationship.'

"Even though I knew this day would come, I still feel a bit reluctant to see you go." Upon hearing the news that Lin Luo and the others were leaving, Coloss rushed over from the orphanage. She said this with a smile tinged with regret. "Our school's festival is about to start, and we're putting on a play. We were short on actors, and I was thinking Lin Luo and Kurenai would be perfect for it. Now, I suppose that hope is dashed."

"Let's forget about plays," Lin Luo said with a wry look. Lin Luo certainly knew about the play Coloss mentioned. It mainly revolved around a love triangle involving a noble knight, a commoner knight, and the Pure White Princess. Although it was a common plot, to be unique, they wouldn't stage it like a normal drama. The real draw was the cross-gender casting. That is, girls playing knights, and boys playing princesses. Coloss suggesting Kurenai was suitable wasn't strange; Kurenai was spirited and certainly possessed the air of a knight. But suggesting him was suitable for the role of Princess Cecilia, the Pure White Princess, put immense pressure on him. Princess Cecilia was originally supposed to be played by Joshua; he had no need to steal his scene.

"Since that’s the case, then I wish you a smooth journey, and I hope we can meet again someday." Coloss had only said it casually. She knew they had their own business to attend to and didn't insist on them staying. Since she was mentally prepared this time, she felt a slight regret but no real pain of parting, bidding farewell with a smile and a gentle reproach.

Kurenai and Kagura both nodded, "Yes, we will definitely meet again."

Finally, after tearful goodbyes between Coloss and Kiki, Lin Luo's party of five continued north, following the direction indicated by the arrow within the True Shikon Jewel.

"Oh dear, I almost forgot something; I can't play favorites." After walking a short distance, Lin Luo suddenly smacked his forehead and looked up. Kiki, the white falcon, was still circling high above, escorting them off.

Seeing this, Lin Luo immediately pulled a small box from his robes and tossed it toward the falcon in the sky. Kiki, swift of eye and claw, snatched the box, chirped a few times, and flew back toward Coloss.

"Brother, what did you give Kiki?" Kagura asked curiously.

Lin Luo smiled faintly and said mysteriously, "Courage and encouragement." While he had no interest in trifling matters like saving the world, offering a little help to friends was well within his capacity.

On the other side, Kiki flew back to Coloss. Seeing the bird holding a small box, and hearing Kiki indicate it was from Lin Luo, Coloss accepted it curiously. Upon opening it, she was astonished to find a ring and a letter inside.

It is a pity I cannot attend the Queen's Birthday celebration, and I likely won't have the chance to see the Princess ascend the throne. I express my deepest regret and can only offer this gift now: a Ring of Courage. I hope the Princess can borrow the courage from this ring to cut through the mists in her heart and become a worthy Queen soon.

"Ah! He knew all along?!" Coloss stared blankly at the letter and the ring in her hand, gazing in the direction Lin Luo and the others had departed for a long moment. She had long known they weren't ordinary people, but she never expected them to see through her identity. Coming back to her senses, Coloss carefully tucked the letter into her pocket. She initially tried putting the ring on her left pinky finger, but after a moment of hesitation, she took it off and finally slipped it onto her left middle finger.

"A Ring of Courage, eh? I hope it truly brings me courage," the young woman murmured with a slight smile.

(To be continued.)